Product Review: Washi Tape Dispenser by We R Memory Keepers

When I saw the Washi Tape Dispenser by We R Memory Keepers on HSN, I was interested.  My washi and other tapes are dumped in a drawer, and it would be nice to have them in a special place.

There is actually an option for you to stack 2 or 3 of this with the Stackable Post, which I like.

Yes, I procrastinated.  Yey for me, I didn't buy on impulse! I saw this presentation several times more, and during Black Friday week, I decided to get one.  I haven't "hoarded" washi tapes yet, so I have enough for just one.

It was a breeze storing my washi and decorative tapes on this organizer.  I also like it that I can stack rolls in the middle.

Guess what I found online too?  One of Artbin's organizers worked well with washi tapes also.  I found it in Artbin's FB page:

I think I have this exact container hiding somewhere.  Now I need to do some digging.

That's it for now... 'til next blog!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, crafty friends!  There are lots of good reasons for my being MIA.  One is just being busy IRL, but the one I didn't like the most was when my hard drive broke and my planet was disconnected from the world for quite some time.  However, I have been crafting whenever I get the chance, really.  But just couldn't find time to update my blog.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to be more diligent with that.

Well, I hope everybody's holidays were filled with love, joy, peace and surprises.  And that you spent it with those you love and hold dear.  That's what always makes it perfect.

For this holiday season, I'd like to share with you my Christmas projects.  See, I have been crafting.

Let's start off with this Christmas ornament I made using staples. Yes.  I've been saving staples at work, putting them in a little glass vase.  I was able to make three:

For the second year now, I have been buying wreaths from a fundraiser at a nearby school.  I like to decorate them also (click here to see last year's).  But this year, I'm only able to play with one.

And finally, I made Christmas cards... of course!

I got these at the dollar section at Joann's early December.  And with my 20% coupon, it was a really good deal.

Limiting myself to these materials, I was able to make these cards:

Well, I hope you had a great holiday.  Here's to another year filled with love, peace, happiness and craftiness!

'Til next blog!

It's a Show!

It's been a loooong time since I sold my cards in a craft show. In the last couple of years, I would sign up for a spot but end up cancelling because of busy schedules. But this year, after several invitations, I made sure to make it to at least one.

And that's today.

I'm so glad to showcase my cards in their true form, where people can actually check them out. I always appreciate the compliments, meeting fellow crafters and seeing a lot of other original creations.  And then those moments click (again) which makes you say (again) "Why didn't I think of that?!?!".  Or you want to also say "I wish I can do that..." (again).

See, I like to go to craft shows as a customer. It's fun to go shopping and getting one of a kind goodies.  But it's another kind of fun to be the vendor as well.  It's nice to be on the other end of the table and have a different perspective of the craft show world.  Instead of looking at craft items, I enjoy seeing people and actually getting pointers on style, makeup and accessories. Yeah. Right now, I have added items on my non-craft wish list.

Well that's it for now as I go back to concentrating on my table. I'm having a blast right now.

Retake: The Most High

Sooo... we're starting to have weather in the 40s.  Not too thrilled about it, but I sure miss my fall/winter clothes.  September was unexpectedly warm in Northern Michigan.  In fact, DH mowed the lawn more last month than all of the summer months combined.  I think.

And I'm using the same old excuses.  Work.  Band.  But wait.  I didn't stop from crafting though.  Well, yeah.  My visits to my planet were less than normal.  After work, I'd stay in the couch and be lazy until I fall asleep.  Sometimes.  I know.  However, I had more visits to the craft stores.  Yeah.  I've been bad.  But I have sooo much to blog about though.  And so much more projects to do.  But I can't start with those until I fix this:

And that's just showing one corner of my planet.  Wanna play I-Spy?  I really need to clean and organize.  My muse goes awol when my planet is in chaos.  I really have to work on this because I signed up for a craft show at the end of this month.  Not funny!

While this was all going on, a co-worker's DF passed away.  I had to make a sympathy card.  And because I just had one night to do it, I cheated.  I still have "The Most High" card I made three years ago.  

Yeah.  Three.  But this card is special to me, because I made it when I was guest designer for Our Daily Bread Designs Stamping in Time Challenge.  That was back when I was super active in the online crafting scene.  I sure miss having all that time.

Back to my cheating story.  Here's what I did.  The size of the "revamped" card is 5.5 x 8.5 inches.  It had to be that big because all the staff members at work had to sign.

The sentiment inside is by Verve Stamps.  This is actually my favorite part of the card.

     

I'm glad that the card was liked by many, especially by the recipient.

'Til here for now... please think of me while you're having fun crafting.

Another Quick One

In Japan, it is customary to give monetary gifts to children on New Year's Day.  This is called "Otoshidama", which is handed out in small decorated envelopes called "Pochibukuro".  I love these small envelopes and I bought a bunch before leaving Japan.

The "Pochibukuros" are very handy in emergency situations.  Because they are already decorated, I add a little twist when I use them to give monetary gifts.

In this case, I used my stash of alpha die cuts to personalize the Pochibukuros.

That's all I did really, and it worked!  I've done this with Christmas gifts last year, and the personalization really counts.

'Til next blog!